Comic Title: Superman #241
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 909 Third Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: August 1971
On Sale Date: June 15, 1971 Newsstand Date June 15, 1971
Source: House Ad, Action Comics #403, Page 17

Copyright Date June 15, 1971
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1971

Frequency: Monthly, (semi-monthly June, Dec.,)
Cover Price: $0.25
Page Count: 48
Editor: Julius Schwartz

Title: "The Shape of Fear"
Pages: 22

Feature(s):
Superman (of Earth-1)

Writer: Dennis J. O'Neil
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson

Reprinted In:
Superman:Kryptonite Nevermore HC (2009)

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (last appearance in Superman #240; next appearance in Superman #242)

Guest Star(s)

• Diana Prince (last appearance in Wonder Woman #195; next appearance in Superman #242)

Supporting Character(s)

• Morgan Edge (mostly behind-the-scenes; first appearance; last appearance in Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #118; next appearance in Superman #244)

Villain(s)

• The sand Superman (last appearance in Superman #238; next appearance in Superman #242)
• Anti-Superman Gang (last appearance in Superman #240; no further appearances)
• An entity from Quarrm (next appearance in Superman #242)
• A purse snatcher (no further appearances)

Guest Appearance(s)

• I-Ching (last appearance in Superman #240; next appearance in Superman #242)

Other Character(s)

• An army captain and his men (no further appearances)
• An unnamed driver and some tourists (no further appearances)
• Edna and her husband (no further appearances)

Comments:
The real Morgan Edge makes his first appearance in this story. The Morgan Edge who debuted in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #133 was a clone working for Darkseid as revealed in Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #118.

This story reveals the origin of the sand Superman.

This story is continued from Superman #240 and continues in Superman #242.

Synopsis:
After Superman has defeated a group of assassins without his powers, I-Ching attempts to cure the Man of Steel. Using a magic ritual I-Ching releases a psychic form from Superman. This spirit tracks down the sand Superman and leeches its power. When the spirit returns to the body of the real Man of Steel, his powers are fully restored.

While Superman is now at full strength, a blow to his head, which was received while powerless, has caused brain damage. As a result, Superman acts irrationally. Ching and Diana Prince attempt to help Superman by tracking down the sand Superman who is now dying. The creature reveals that it comes from the realm of Quarrm. Diana and Ching then lure Superman into a trap where the creature can once again siphon his power. The Man of Steel flees only to find himself in conflict with another inhabitant from Quarrm which has crossed the dimensional barrier to Earth.